Discover the best ranch campgrounds in South Dakota with swimming

United States
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South Dakota

94% (268 reviews)

Popular camping styles for South Dakota

Available this weekend

Under $50

100%

(4)

Working Homestead Farm & Dairy

1 site · RV, Tent27 acres · Hot Springs, SD

Serendipity Farmstead is a fully operational homestead farm/ranch, cultivating more variety than you could ever imagine. Our high tunnel extends the outdoor growing season from April to October, while the tropical greenhouse boasts oranges, bananas, guava, and much more. We employ organic and regenerative farming methods across all areas of the farm, where animals grow the plants and vice versa, creating a perfectly balanced operation. A stay at Serendipity Farmstead offers an immersive experience into the workings of a homestead farm. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the symbiotic systems between yaks, cows, and chickens, how pigs enrich the soil, our milking process, and how we utilize beneficial insects to manage pests without chemicals. Animal enthusiasts will delight in interacting with our yaks, cows, llamas, and donkey.

B gravel pit.

1 site · RV, Tent1500 acres · Wall, SD

This ranch is the home of children's book author Cowgirl Annie. This site is in an abandoned gravel pit so you will be parking on a sandy gravel base. There are cottonwood stands close by that you can hike through to the river. A wide variety of wildlife live in this area, so no telling what you may see or hear. You will have a big area to yourselves. I have tried to plan areas so you won't be disturbed by other campers. Wall Drug and the Badlands National Park are about a twenty-minute drive.

Home Ranch LLC

1 site · RV1500 acres · Wasta, SD

This working ranch is the home of Children's book author Cowgirl Annie. It covers over 1500 acres where depending on the time of the year you can see cattle, horses, a variety of wildlife (deer, raccoons, beaver, eagles, owls, meadowlarks, ducks, geese, coyotes, snakes, and bugs.) You can fish, hike to the river, hills, or through cottonwood trees. The Badlands National Park and Wall Drug are about a 15 minute drive. Camping spots are within 3 miles of Interstate 90 and easily accessed. The black hills are aboout 1.5 hours drive. You can sit back and relax away from the crowds here on the ranch. Visitors in April and May can see the newborn calves before they are moved to summer pasture. Enjoy stargazing, listening to the frogs and coyotes. the sunsets, and sunrises are often spectacular. The smell of fresh cut hay will make you want to stay forever. Cowgirl Annie may even have time to visit with you about ranch life. There is a fire ban on the ranch. No pets are allowed. All campers must be self-contained units as I have no hook-ups or dump stations.

94%

(242)

Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

35 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Custer, SD

Property description Our property is nestled between Hwy 385, the Mickelson Trail, and the National Forest. We are located between Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park along Hwy 385 and the Mickelson Trail; about 30 minutes from Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Mountain. The nearest towns with restaurants are Pringle, (2 miles S); Hot Springs, (24 miles S), Custer, (9.5 miles N).; Hill City, (24 miles N), and Rapid City, (50 miles N). The blacktop driveway grants easy access for every type of vehicle. A couple of ponds, creeks, and dispersed willow, pine, and aspen trees enhance the diversity and beauty of the landscape. It is peaceful here and we enjoy sharing it with our guests during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Plenty Star Ranch Retreat has our home, a big pole barn (RV storage), a garage/wood workshop with an attached restroom for all guests, a regular hot water shower cabin, a solar shower building, 2 small home-built camping log cabins, 7 RV sites, 8 clearly marked tent and car-camping sites, and several water hydrants fed by our well, providing great quality drinking water.

Home Ranch LLC

1 site · RV, Tent1500 acres · Wasta, SD

This ranch is the home of Cowgirl Annie. It has had two movies about the Battle of the Little Bighorn filmed on it. The Lytle's raise Red Angus cows and Alfalfa hay. The ranch has Juniper trees in the river breaks and cottonwoods in the river valley. A wide variety of wildlife and birds can be found on the ranch. Visitors will likely get to see deer and hear the coyotes howling and observe other critters. This ranch is over 1500 acres. Campsite is about a mile off of Interstate 90. Wall Drug and the Badlands National park are about 20 minutes away. Visitors are encouraged to hike and play in the river. There are plenty of good areas to play hide and seek along with logs to climb on. There isn't much light pollution so you can enjoy stargazing on a clear night. Attractions in the Black Hills are about 60 miles away.

10 top ranch campgrounds in South Dakota with swimming

94%

(242)

Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

35 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Custer, SD

Property description Our property is nestled between Hwy 385, the Mickelson Trail, and the National Forest. We are located between Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park along Hwy 385 and the Mickelson Trail; about 30 minutes from Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Mountain. The nearest towns with restaurants are Pringle, (2 miles S); Hot Springs, (24 miles S), Custer, (9.5 miles N).; Hill City, (24 miles N), and Rapid City, (50 miles N). The blacktop driveway grants easy access for every type of vehicle. A couple of ponds, creeks, and dispersed willow, pine, and aspen trees enhance the diversity and beauty of the landscape. It is peaceful here and we enjoy sharing it with our guests during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Plenty Star Ranch Retreat has our home, a big pole barn (RV storage), a garage/wood workshop with an attached restroom for all guests, a regular hot water shower cabin, a solar shower building, 2 small home-built camping log cabins, 7 RV sites, 8 clearly marked tent and car-camping sites, and several water hydrants fed by our well, providing great quality drinking water.

98%

(72)

Crystal A.’s Land

4 sites · Lodging, RVs640 acres · Pukwana, SD

Working Homestead Farm & Dairy

1 site · RV, Tent27 acres · Hot Springs, SD

Serendipity Farmstead is a fully operational homestead farm/ranch, cultivating more variety than you could ever imagine. Our high tunnel extends the outdoor growing season from April to October, while the tropical greenhouse boasts oranges, bananas, guava, and much more. We employ organic and regenerative farming methods across all areas of the farm, where animals grow the plants and vice versa, creating a perfectly balanced operation. A stay at Serendipity Farmstead offers an immersive experience into the workings of a homestead farm. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the symbiotic systems between yaks, cows, and chickens, how pigs enrich the soil, our milking process, and how we utilize beneficial insects to manage pests without chemicals. Animal enthusiasts will delight in interacting with our yaks, cows, llamas, and donkey.

Home Ranch LLC

1 site · RV1500 acres · Wasta, SD

This working ranch is the home of Children's book author Cowgirl Annie. It covers over 1500 acres where depending on the time of the year you can see cattle, horses, a variety of wildlife (deer, raccoons, beaver, eagles, owls, meadowlarks, ducks, geese, coyotes, snakes, and bugs.) You can fish, hike to the river, hills, or through cottonwood trees. The Badlands National Park and Wall Drug are about a 15 minute drive. Camping spots are within 3 miles of Interstate 90 and easily accessed. The black hills are aboout 1.5 hours drive. You can sit back and relax away from the crowds here on the ranch. Visitors in April and May can see the newborn calves before they are moved to summer pasture. Enjoy stargazing, listening to the frogs and coyotes. the sunsets, and sunrises are often spectacular. The smell of fresh cut hay will make you want to stay forever. Cowgirl Annie may even have time to visit with you about ranch life. There is a fire ban on the ranch. No pets are allowed. All campers must be self-contained units as I have no hook-ups or dump stations.

B gravel pit.

1 site · RV, Tent1500 acres · Wall, SD

This ranch is the home of children's book author Cowgirl Annie. This site is in an abandoned gravel pit so you will be parking on a sandy gravel base. There are cottonwood stands close by that you can hike through to the river. A wide variety of wildlife live in this area, so no telling what you may see or hear. You will have a big area to yourselves. I have tried to plan areas so you won't be disturbed by other campers. Wall Drug and the Badlands National Park are about a twenty-minute drive.

Home Ranch LLC

1 site · RV, Tent1500 acres · Wasta, SD

This ranch is the home of Cowgirl Annie. It has had two movies about the Battle of the Little Bighorn filmed on it. The Lytle's raise Red Angus cows and Alfalfa hay. The ranch has Juniper trees in the river breaks and cottonwoods in the river valley. A wide variety of wildlife and birds can be found on the ranch. Visitors will likely get to see deer and hear the coyotes howling and observe other critters. This ranch is over 1500 acres. Campsite is about a mile off of Interstate 90. Wall Drug and the Badlands National park are about 20 minutes away. Visitors are encouraged to hike and play in the river. There are plenty of good areas to play hide and seek along with logs to climb on. There isn't much light pollution so you can enjoy stargazing on a clear night. Attractions in the Black Hills are about 60 miles away.

Grass limited trees

12 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Herreid, SD

Learn more about this land:We are definitely out of the way 98 miles to the closest Walmart birds deer sunsets and sunrises best in the country great fishing 15 miles west lake Oahe sitting Bull’s grave site 33 miles west

75%

(4)

Home Ranch

1 site · RV1500 acres · Wasta, SD

Home Ranch LLC rents property from ranchers to provide nature experiences to campers that want to getaway from the crowds. This property provides access to juniper canyons that are home to a wide variety of wildlife on over 1000 acres. You can almost always see some deer, a variety of birds: including ducks, geese, great blue herons, and eagles. Meadowlarks and coyotes can usually be heard daily. The campers can also enjoy wading or fishing in the Cheyenne River that borders the property on the west side. The river is just a short hike through the cottonwood covered bottoms that show signs of raccoon and beaver activity. Children can enjoy climbing on logs, playing hide and go seek in the trees or throwing rocks in the river. The sunrises and sunsets can be quite spectacular. The ranch also allows for some star gazing at night. Feel free to bring your telescopes. If Campers arrive in April or May they can go on a calving tour to see the newborn calves. If coming in June through August campers could catch a tour to put out mineral and salt for the cattle in summer pasture or maybe ride along in the haying process.( These tours would not happen on a daily basis.) Every day is different on a ranch. Home Ranch tries to spreadout the campsites so campers don't feel like others are intruding on their space and interrupting their quite time to enjoy nature. Sometimes depending on the weather (rain) you may be asked to move your camper to a different site on the ranch to avoid being stuck in the mud. The town of Wall (home of Wall Drug) is about a 15 minute drive. the Badlands National Park is about 25 minutes from the campsites. Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park and other tourist spots are about one and a half hours driving time.

100%

(6)

Renegades Ranch

6 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Corona, SD

This is a beautiful older farm site, with the original home and outbuildings. On the property is a horse pasture, a walking trail, a pond and several friendly animals. There are several acres of trees with a walking trail and campsites within. The farm historically was the top farm in the area. Rooms are spacious. Some remodeling has been done with windows and doors all upgraded. Learn more about this land:12 acre hobby farm with chickens, a dog, a cat, and a horse. We have grapes, raspberries, mulberry fruit trees and make our own wine. There is a trail going through the trees where there are several campsites and fire pits to choose from. As well as open areas to camp or park your camper. There is a small stage and central fire pit with many chairs, electricity and tables available. One 30 amp camper plugin. We are only 2 miles from Big Stone Lake, or within 4 miles you can kayak whetstone creek (weather/water level permitting). We have kayaks available for rent. Also this location is only 2 miles from gourmet bar and restaurants on the lake, and additional walking trails. We can also provide farm fresh eggs for your meal, or for additional fee cook breakfast or grill gourmet meals by request.

100%

(6)

Dakota Dream B&B, Cabins, Glamping

5 sites · Lodging10 acres · Custer, SD

Dakota Dream B & B and Horse Hotel sits on 10 pine covered acres under the big Dakota sky. We have something for everyone: cabins, B&B lodge rooms, and our Stargazer glamping A-frames. Our property is host to miniature goats, deer, turkey, and the occasional horse, coyote, and cougar. We are less than a mile walk and a 2 minute drive from Downtown Custer SD but feel a world away. Shopping and dining are only minutes from your mountain home in Custer. The entrance to Custer state park is just 5 minutes away. Lakes, boating, hiking horse back riding, chuck-wagons, and the wildlife loop are at your doorstep. Biking the Mickelson trail is less than a mile (plus many other bike/hiking trails nearby) It does not get any better than this. Dakota Dream makes lodging part of the vacation. Your home in the Black Hills is waiting.

Dog-friendly getaways

94%

(242)

Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

35 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Custer, SD

Property description Our property is nestled between Hwy 385, the Mickelson Trail, and the National Forest. We are located between Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park along Hwy 385 and the Mickelson Trail; about 30 minutes from Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Mountain. The nearest towns with restaurants are Pringle, (2 miles S); Hot Springs, (24 miles S), Custer, (9.5 miles N).; Hill City, (24 miles N), and Rapid City, (50 miles N). The blacktop driveway grants easy access for every type of vehicle. A couple of ponds, creeks, and dispersed willow, pine, and aspen trees enhance the diversity and beauty of the landscape. It is peaceful here and we enjoy sharing it with our guests during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Plenty Star Ranch Retreat has our home, a big pole barn (RV storage), a garage/wood workshop with an attached restroom for all guests, a regular hot water shower cabin, a solar shower building, 2 small home-built camping log cabins, 7 RV sites, 8 clearly marked tent and car-camping sites, and several water hydrants fed by our well, providing great quality drinking water.

Crystal A.’s Land

4 sites · Lodging, RVs640 acres · Pukwana, SD

Home Ranch LLC

1 site · RV1500 acres · Wasta, SD

This working ranch is the home of Children's book author Cowgirl Annie. It covers over 1500 acres where depending on the time of the year you can see cattle, horses, a variety of wildlife (deer, raccoons, beaver, eagles, owls, meadowlarks, ducks, geese, coyotes, snakes, and bugs.) You can fish, hike to the river, hills, or through cottonwood trees. The Badlands National Park and Wall Drug are about a 15 minute drive. Camping spots are within 3 miles of Interstate 90 and easily accessed. The black hills are aboout 1.5 hours drive. You can sit back and relax away from the crowds here on the ranch. Visitors in April and May can see the newborn calves before they are moved to summer pasture. Enjoy stargazing, listening to the frogs and coyotes. the sunsets, and sunrises are often spectacular. The smell of fresh cut hay will make you want to stay forever. Cowgirl Annie may even have time to visit with you about ranch life. There is a fire ban on the ranch. No pets are allowed. All campers must be self-contained units as I have no hook-ups or dump stations.

B gravel pit.

1 site · RV, Tent1500 acres · Wall, SD

This ranch is the home of children's book author Cowgirl Annie. This site is in an abandoned gravel pit so you will be parking on a sandy gravel base. There are cottonwood stands close by that you can hike through to the river. A wide variety of wildlife live in this area, so no telling what you may see or hear. You will have a big area to yourselves. I have tried to plan areas so you won't be disturbed by other campers. Wall Drug and the Badlands National Park are about a twenty-minute drive.

Home Ranch LLC

1 site · RV, Tent1500 acres · Wasta, SD

This ranch is the home of Cowgirl Annie. It has had two movies about the Battle of the Little Bighorn filmed on it. The Lytle's raise Red Angus cows and Alfalfa hay. The ranch has Juniper trees in the river breaks and cottonwoods in the river valley. A wide variety of wildlife and birds can be found on the ranch. Visitors will likely get to see deer and hear the coyotes howling and observe other critters. This ranch is over 1500 acres. Campsite is about a mile off of Interstate 90. Wall Drug and the Badlands National park are about 20 minutes away. Visitors are encouraged to hike and play in the river. There are plenty of good areas to play hide and seek along with logs to climb on. There isn't much light pollution so you can enjoy stargazing on a clear night. Attractions in the Black Hills are about 60 miles away.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Ranch camping in South Dakota with swimming guide

Overview

South Dakota's headline acts need little introduction. This sparsely populated state is home to the most visited national park in the Midwest—Badlands National Park—and one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States—Mount Rushmore. From the craggy peaks of the Black Hills to the vast backcountry of the Great Plains and the banks of the mighty Missouri River, outdoor adventures are easy to find in South Dakota. The main camping season runs from May through October, with midsummer temperatures peaking in the mid-80s, while winters are snowy, especially in the north.

Where to go

Badlands and the Black Hills

Swathes of forested mountains blanket the southwestern corner of South Dakota, where a road trip to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial is likely top of your to-do list. Just west of the four presidents, the Black Hills National Forest has 450 miles of hiking, biking, OHV, and horseback riding trails, plus 30 campgrounds, some with full hookups. To the east, hike beneath layer-cake cliffs and towering canyons in Badlands National Park, then camp out beneath the stars—backcountry camping is permitted throughout the park.

Great Lakes

The Missouri River flows through the heart of South Dakota, where you'll find the four man-made "great lakes"—Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis and Clark Lake. Campgrounds and RV parks pepper the shores, and all four lakes are popular spots for walleye and smallmouth bass fishing. Bring your own boat, paddle the lakes on a kayak, or rent a jet ski.

Glacial Lakes

The sweeping prairies and glacial lakes of northeastern South Dakota are little-explored, but you’re never far from a lakeside campground. With its chain of eight glacial lakes, Oakwood Lakes State Park affords plenty of opportunities for swimming, paddling, and ice fishing, depending on the time of year. Further south, Lake Poinsett has a sandy beach, two camping areas, and lakefront cabins.

Southeast South Dakota

The state's southeast corner is a patchwork of lakes, rivers, and vineyards, interspersed with country towns. Set up camp at Lake Vermillion and hit the water to swim, canoe, or paddleboard; enjoy hiking or rock climbing around the unique pink quartzite cliffs of Palisades State Park; or go wine tasting in South Dakota wine country. A photo stop at Sioux Falls is a must for visitors to the namesake city, but for camping, head to the nearby Big Sioux Recreation Area, a scenic stopover along the Jay Heath Canoe & Kayak Trail.